Article by Tim O’Neil, medievalist:
Contrary to what is found all over the Internet on the subject, the most common drink was water, for the obvious reason: It’s free. Medieval villages and towns were built around sources of fresh water. This could be fresh running water, a spring or, in many cases, wells. All of these could easily provide fresh, disease- and impurity-free water; the idea that water from these sources would be the causes of disease and so had to be made into ale or beer is fanciful.
Where water was more likely to be contaminated, largely by tanning, slaughtering, or dying facilities, was in larger towns. But since medieval people were not idiots, they dealt with this in several ways. There were ordinances on where tanners and dyers could operate so that water for domestic use could be drawn from rivers and streams in the town to ensure the water was clean. And there were fines for contaminating areas of streams used for household consumption.
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I can’t recall any sources I’ve read off-hand that would dispute this. Tim does cite Ian Mortimer as a source, a well-known medieval historian, so I would have to say this is probably accurate. It’s very interesting and contrary to what most people believe. Thoughts?
Filed under: Medieval News on May 22nd, 2013 | No Comments »
Agent spotlight is intended to highlight agents who are open to new authors and accept fantasy and/or historical fiction.
Dr. Jamie Bodnar Drowley
Dr. Jamie Bodnar Drowley is a literary agent who comes to Inklings Literary Agency from Corvisiero Literary Agency.
In Adult, New Adult and Young Adult fiction, Jamie is seeking fantasy, mystery, romance, paranormal, historical, contemporary, horror, light sci-fi and thrillers.
In MG, she loves stories that make her laugh and are imaginative with a clear voice. She loves strong characters with distinct voices and unique story lines that stay with her long after she is finished reading.
For info on how to submit, see the Inklings Literary Agency submission guidelines.
Filed under: Agents on May 15th, 2013 | No Comments »
This story is a couple of months old, but I didn’t see it until now. Thought it was interesting and that I would post all the same. The bones have been buried for eight centuries, so I figured being a couple of months late on the news is not all that important. Timeliness in archaeology is a little different than timeliness in other news, I think.
From the Huffington Post:
Archeologists this week announced the discovery of an unidentified medieval knight’s skeleton buried along with several other bodies under a Scottish parking lot.
The knight — or possibly nobleman — was uncovered during construction work, according to The Scotsman. Also found was an intricately carved sandstone slab, several other human burial plots and a variety of artifacts researchers believe are from the 13th-century Blackfriars Monastery.
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Filed under: Medieval News, Archaeology on May 13th, 2013 | No Comments »
River of Stars by Guy Gavriel Kay
Hardcover: 656 pages
Publisher: Roc Hardcover; 1 edition (April 2, 2013)
In his latest book River of Stars, Guy Gavriel Kay returns to the empire of Kitai several centuries following Under Heaven. While it is not necessary to have read Under Heaven before this book, it does provide some historical context of where the empire is now compared to where it was before.
The great empire of Kitai is in decline. The emperor is more concerned with the arts and with building his magnificent garden that he tends to ignore the fact his empire is under threat from rebellious factions. Kay does a nice job with the cultural aspects and historical details in the novel. The court intrigue and social interactions of the characters brings the Song dynasty alive.
Ren Daiyan is the protagonist of the novel. His is an outlaw. Forced to band together with other outlaws like himself after killing seven men, Daiyan has dreams of restoring the empire to its once former glory. He wants to be a great military leader.
The other main character is Lin Shan, a daughter of a scholar. Shan is educated in many subjects unusual at the time for women. She is a gifted poet and calligrapher. Without delving too heavily into the plot, Lin Shan, like Daiyan, plays an important role in the shaping of the ever-changing Kitai empire.
There are a lot of interesting factors at play in this novel: court politics, war, cultural arts, love. As always, Kay is an exquisite storyteller and great developer of characters. While it might take a bit longer to get into than Under Heaven, Kay’s latest novel is still worth the read.
Filed under: Book Reviews on May 4th, 2013 | No Comments »
From the BBC News:
An excavation funded with redundancy money shows Stonehenge was a settlement 3,000 years before it was built.
The archaeological dig, a mile from the stones, has revealed that people have occupied the area since 7,500BC.
The findings, uncovered by volunteers on a shoestring budget, are 5,000 years earlier than previously thought.
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Filed under: Archaeology on May 2nd, 2013 | No Comments »
Was curious if anyone has been watching the Vikings series on the History Channel? I watched the first couple of episodes but it just didn’t hook me. The characters were not all that interesting to me. Maybe it gets better and I should go back and give it another chance, but for me, a show or book really has to grip me from the beginning for me to invest the time in it. Years back I would have finished a book once I started it, but I’ve somewhat changed my philosophy on that. There is too much stuff competing for my attention these days to invest time in something that is frankly not all that interesting.
I did feel the show from the episodes I watched had an authentic feel to it in terms of its setting: houses, clothes, cultural mindset, etc. It was really the characters that failed to interest me. Thoughts anyone?
Filed under: Medieval History TV Guide, Vikings on April 16th, 2013 | 2 Comments »
Reuters:
OSLO — A pre-Viking woolen tunic found beside a thawing glacier in south Norway shows how global warming is proving something of a boon for archaeology, scientists said on Thursday.
The greenish-brown, loose-fitting outer clothing — suitable for a person up to about 5 feet, 9 inches tall (176 centimeters) — was found 6,560 feet (2,000 meters) above sea level on what may have been a Roman-era trade route in south Norway. Carbon dating showed it was made around the year 300.
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Filed under: Medieval News, Vikings, Archaeology on April 4th, 2013 | No Comments »
For those searching for agencies that specialize in fantasy and historical fiction, you might take a look at Dinsdale Imber. They do accept and encourage submissions from new authors.
Dinsdale Imber is a dedicated independent literary agency, specializing in the best of genre writing: historical fiction, thrillers, fantasy, science-fiction and horror.
It works in association with AM Heath & Co Ltd, one of the world’s leading literary agencies.
Dinsdale Imber’s clients are represented by Robert Dinsdale, formerly of AM Heath and the HHB Agency, and supported through all stages of the editorial process by the agency’s editor, Kirstie Imber.
A while back, I also posted another list of agencies you might consider. Or this one.
Hope this helps.
Filed under: Historical Fiction, Writing Resources, Fantasy on March 29th, 2013 | No Comments »
Brief history:
Saint Govan (Welsh: Gofan) (died 586) was a hermit who lived in a fissure on the side of coastal cliff near Bosherston, in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Wales. Saint Govan’s Chapel was built in the fissure in the 14th century on what is now known as St Govan’s Head.
One story says Govan was an Irish monk who travelled to Wales late in life to seek the friends and family of the abbot who had trained him, variously identified as Saint David or Saint Ailbe of Emly. Another story identifies Govan with Gawain, one of King Arthur’s Knights of the Round Table; another that he was originally a thief.
Govan was set upon by pirates, from Ireland or the nearby Lundy Island. The cliff opened up and left a fissure just big enough for him to hide in until the pirates left. In gratitude, he decided to stay on along the cliff, probably to help warn the locals of the impending pirate attack if they were to return.
St Govan lived within a small cave in the fissure of the cliff. This is now reached by a long flight of stone steps, the number of which is said to vary depending on whether one is ascending or descending.
The present small vaulted chapel of local limestone was built over the cave and dates from the 13th century although the site may have been of monastic import Originally St Govan caught fish and took water from two nearby springs. Both are now dry; one was where the medieval chapel now stands, the other, which was lower down the cliff, later became a holy well. A legend says St Govan’s hand prints are imprinted on the floor of his cave and his body is buried under the chapel’s altar. The cave was once a popular place for making wishes.
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Additional resources:
Filed under: Middle Ages History, Medieval History on March 11th, 2013 | No Comments »
Silver’s Odyssey by Henry C. Duggan III
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: AuthorHouse (May 29, 2012)
ISBN-10: 146858734X
Book Description:
Motivated by his family’s military heritage and his reading of Don Quixote, our protagonist is spurred on to pursue a trip to the New World aboard a military galleon in 1622. Though his heart is wrenched to leave his bethrothed, one can feel the excitement that eventually builds as he sets sail. Albeit, serving the king honorably is soon forgotten as his silver-laden ship sinks in a hurricane on the return.
Cast ashore and made to endure Indian slavery humbles him, and he inwardly becomes obsessed with escape. It comes, but with a price, paid by the death and torment of fellow escapees. Given a few pieces of eight, or pesos, on the ship, he carefully guards them on his trek, until he begins to resent both the monarchy and the coins for his plight. This consternation sets him on a dangerous mission that almost takes his life.
His suffers further grief, both in a village and in St. Augustine’s jail, but with dignity and honor, he is persistent in returning to Spain. His trials are many, both physical and emotional, but in the end is triumph.
Average customer review on Amazon: 5 stars (30 reviews)
Filed under: Historical Fiction on February 28th, 2013 | No Comments »
